Tag Archives: inspiration

Nov11

Take It Easier

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Take It Easier

Hello!! The recent election and upcoming holiday season has definitely been causing stress to many, myself included. This time of year often feels like a whirlwind – between wrapping up the calendar year strong at work, shopping for holiday gifts, adjusting to the time change, and attempting to squeeze time in for yourself too. It’s a lot. In fact, I was literally just thinking about how overwhelmed I feel which inspired this post. I came to the conclusion that I need to at least try to Take It Easier and am utilizing the following methods:

There are only 24 hours in a day:

One thing that I really struggle with is making time for every single other person and exclude myself. I spend so much time in my own head mentally trying to rearrange my calendar to accommodate to everyone and so be it if I fall by the wayside. The biggest change I have been trying to make is reminding myself constantly that there are only 24 hours in the day. I can’t create more time no matter how much mental Tetris I play with my schedule. With this reminder, I think I have been a lot better about saying no to extra shifts or demands that I am too exhausted to meet. This has been difficult because I am a complete and total people pleaser but I can only do so much and that is okay.

Still give your all:

I saw a quote on Facebook that I really liked. It went something or other like this: “If you only had 50% to give today, you still gave it your all”. I’m paraphrasing, but you get the point. Some days, it is just impossible to be firing at 100%. It’s human, so normal, and you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it. As long as you are doing the absolute best you can regardless of being at 100% or not, you still did your best that day – even if you weren’t feeling it.

Utilize your breaks:

I don’t know about all of you, but I am very guilty of eating breakfast or lunch while working. Sometimes it’s a necessary evil and you can’t do anything about it. However, if you can, you should utilize your breaks every day because that is what they’re intended for – giving yourself a break. As often as I can throughout the week, I give myself twenty minutes for breakfast and for lunch. During that time, I will watch an episode of Degrassi and get back at it afterwards. I always return to work feeling refreshed from having a little breather. Remember that some days, you might need to give yourself more breaks if you are feeling burnt out and that’s okay too. For example, if I have a particularly long day at the computer, I will break a few times to do some Tai Chi and work out the kinks from sitting in an uncomfortable chair lol.

Facing negativity:

When you stop spreading yourself so thin, you might face negativity from the people who benefited from it. In the past handful of weeks alone, I have certainly had several guilt trips and it has sucked. I legit felt SO bad about it to the point of almost adding things back into my schedule and running myself ragged. Don’t do this!! If you succumb to guilt trips, you are going to be right back where you started. It might be hard, but be firm when you say no. It will leave no possibility for interpretation and will introduce people to whatever new normal you are trying to create for yourself. If you are getting any guff from anyone, then they might not have your best interests at heart. And, remember, you never, ever have to justify or explain when you’re doing what’s best for you.

I have been trying to decrease my stress and increase time for me these past few weeks and it has been really… stressful lol. The hardest part has definitely been the guilt trips. As I adjust to my new normal, I will continue to use my new mantras and mindset and keep moving forward. It’s the best thing for me and that’s the best!

Would you consider yourself to be a people pleaser? What changes have you made in your life to decrease stress? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Nov5

Reduce Stress With These Kitchen Upgrades

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Reduce Stress With These Kitchen Upgrades

Renovating the areas you use the most is an exciting process. It means you can add the things you need and make your life much easier. The kitchen is the most used room in the home, and there are numerous upgrades you can do to make it the most loved room in the home too. Like the following:

A Pipe and Plumbing Refit:

Ripping out an old kitchen comes with many opportunities. Of course, you can design the kitchen you want. But you also have the specific advantage of being able to have the piping and plumbing inspected. What would be the point of a brand new kitchen built around old and failing pipes? Reliable plumbing services will work with you to have your pipes installed and running as smoothly as possible. This gives you massive peace of mind to move forward with the plan.

Finalize the Kitchen Design:

It can be a dream come true to design your own kitchen, especially if you love to cook. However, it isn’t cheap, so you may want to consider the budget you have to work with. Whether it is large or small, there still needs to be a plan. A finalized design means there is little chance of something going wrong. Yet it will also keep you within budget and cultivate a healthy relationship with contractors. Most also offer 3D designs today, so you can design exactly what you want together.

Electrical Kitchen Upgrades:

Even if you don’t cook much, modern kitchens are a gathering space for the family when designed in a specific way, such as open-plan. It can also be a relaxing area for adults to take five and catch up on the day’s events. But with modernity comes the need for power. The average family home has around eleven kitchen appliances, not including mobile devices. So consider USB sockets in your new kitchen.

How You Will Use the Space:

A modern kitchen isn’t only used for cooking. Today, the modern kitchen space is multi-functional and used for gathering families. Yet, the main reason for a new kitchen is indeed for cooking. And we all cook in different ways. Think about how you use the space and you can design a new kitchen around your needs. For example, you can have pan racks and knife strips placed where you need them. This helps protect your expensive set of Globals for smooth food preparation!

The Storage Space You Will Need:

Even when you redesign a kitchen, you are still going to be working with limited space. With everything you might need, such as spice racks, pan space, and utensils, it helps to think about storage. You can work with your contractor on the design of the cabinet work, adding in extras as you go. Modern cabinets come with tiers for efficient use of space, lighting features, and even under-cupboard storage such as wine glass holders and utensil hooks.

Create your dream kitchen with the tips above and enjoy your new, remodeled space!

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Sep14

Collegiate Chic OOTD

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Collegiate Chic OOTD

Howdy!! This past Monday, I had an exciting day at work. I visited Kent State University with my boss, Tim, to assist with a presentation to the Principles of Marketing class. We had a blast and it was a joy to interact with all of the students. For the occasion, I wanted to put together a Collegiate Chic OOTD that was professional, but offered that extra dose of Lil Red flare. Unfortunately, I had to leave before Johnny was home from work so he couldn’t take pictures for me. I didn’t want to fiddle around with my tripod and a timer so I figured some mirror pictures would suffice. Never mind the bunny hutch that makes a guest appearance! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Houndstooth Knit Blazer: Joie, TJMaxx

Navy Blue Skater Skirt: This was a hand me down from a colleague!

Knee Socks: Target

Heeled Oxfords: Lulu Hun, ModCloth

The earrings were a gift from Johnny’s mom!

Sometimes, outfits come to me in a vision and that was very much the case for my Collegiate Chic OOTD. I knew exactly what I wanted and it turned out exactly how I wanted and it was so very satisfying! This look began with the gorgeous knit blazer by Joie. I loved the classic double breasted shape and the houndstooth pattern gave the studious vibe that I was going for. While the shape of the blazer is quite traditional, the color palette is an interesting take on houndstooth and that was the main selling point for me. It gave the quirky aesthetic I needed to do a school inspired look Lil Red’s way.

Obvi before adding the blazer, the base of the outfit needed to be addressed! Aside from the periwinkle pop in the blazer, the remaining colors were fully neutral. Meaning that I could pair it with any other neutral hue and it would form a cohesive look. I chose navy as my neutral and put on a navy blue crop top underneath the blazer and a skater skirt to match. The skirt paired with the blazer offered a modern take on stuffy school uniforms and I felt like the coolest kid on campus because of it.

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. To drive the updated uniform motif home, I slipped on some heather grey knee highs. Remember, you can always add another neutral to the mix without negatively effecting the rest of the outfit. And, of course, what is a fresher take on a school uniform than a pair of heeled oxfords? Peep how the tawny shade in the heels matched perfectly to the blazer! Last but not least, I chose a lovely pair of earrings that my mother-in-law gifted me and I was ready to take on a school day my way.

My Collegiate Chic OOTD was such fun to style and even more fun to wear. I was so inspired by the idea of modernizing a school uniform and it ended up being one of my favorite looks in recent past!

Did you have to wear uniforms to school? What were they like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sep12

Make Your 19 Year Old Self Proud

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Make Your 19 Year Old Self Proud

Hello!! Earlier this week I had the really cool opportunity to facilitate and create a presentation for my boss, Tim, at Kent State University. It was an amazing project to sink my teeth into and I loved joining Tim on campus for his talk. We had the best time! After the presentation, we had a Q&A session followed by a meet and greet. As the students waited in line for me to take their pictures, a gaggle of freshman and sophomore girls were patiently waiting on deck. They were the absolute cutest.

Once they got closer to me, they approached and sung the praises of my outfit (Peep that later!) and asked questions about how I got started with my job. They told me they were eighteen and nineteen and were simply shook when I told them I was thirty! I have got to admit, talking to these teenagers made me feel insanely old lol but I was delighted by the encounter. I am very rarely around people that age and the fact that they thought I was some semblance of cool made me feel… Well, cool.

As I drove home, I thought about my nineteen year old self. I was insanely depressed, engaged in self harm and an eating disorder, and everything sucked. I was working a crappy job in the mall, had no goals, and no sense of self worth whatsoever. Then, I flash forwarded to my life as a thirty year old. I have the best jobs, best friends, best family, and am so happily married. If you would have told me that as a nineteen year old, I wouldn’t have even been able to fathom it.

It took me a long time of struggling with my mental health to get myself to a good place and it was far from easy. The girls I met were none the wiser to any of this and were able to see me as a confident and stylish woman. After our brief meeting, I came to the conclusion that my nineteen year old self would have looked up to who I am now too. This was a very fulfilling feeling because I associate that period in my life with a lot of shame. I was now able to give my young self credit as a kid who was trying her best and I know for a fact she would be proud of who I am today!

Sometimes the smallest encounters are the most meaningful and this one gave me the opportunity to see how far I have come. I am so grateful for it!

What were you like as a teenager? Who do you look up to? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jul23

How Mastering A New Language Elevates Your Life

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How Mastering A New Language Elevates Your Life

Mastering a new language isn’t just about ordering a coffee in Paris without pointing wildly at the menu or watching anime without subtitles. It’s an exhilarating adventure in self-improvement that stretches the boundaries of your mind and heart. It’s about connecting with people in a way that transcends the typical tourist experience, and yes, it’s also about feeling ridiculously proud of yourself when you finally understand what that fast-talking Spanish soap opera character is plotting.

Of course, it’s also great to be able to drop in on people who are speaking the language you know or even reading a manga that hasn’t been translated into English. There are so many benefits, but the biggest one is how it changes you. Here’s what you need to know and why learning a new language can be one of the best decisions you can make:

It’s About Breaking Down Mental Barriers:

Learning a new language is a fantastic workout for your brain. It’s like taking your neurons to the gym. Not only are you memorizing vocabulary and grappling with grammar that sometimes feels like it was designed to be as confusing as possible, but you’re also training your brain to switch between different systems of speech and thought. This mental flexibility is a superpower in its own right. For example, if you’re taking beginner Chinese reading classes, you have to think pretty hard and stimulate your brain. Your brain has to think more, so it’s getting stronger. You’ll be able to learn easier with time, understand better in time, and become mentally sharper as well.

Cultivating Empathy and Cultural Sensitivity:

Beyond the cognitive fireworks, learning a new language is a deep dive into another culture. You have to understand that words are the keys to unlocking how people think, laugh, and live. Each new word you learn is a glimpse into the values, humor, and essence of another community. This isn’t just educational; it’s a form of connecting on a human level that can profoundly alter how you see the world.

Here’s a great example: when you learn Japanese, you’re not just learning vocabulary. You’re learning concepts like “wa” (harmony) and “omotenashi” (hospitality), which are central to Japanese culture. It’s the same for Dutch, their culture is very direct, and in their language a lot of words and phrases are blunt too (it’s hard to sugar coat things in Dutch like you can in English). Overall, understanding these concepts can change how you interact with others, making you more considerate and aware of the subtleties of social interaction.

Enhancing Personal and Professional Opportunities:

We can’t forget the practical perks! Speaking a second (or third or fourth) language can open up incredible career opportunities. In our globalized world, companies are always on the lookout for individuals who can navigate different cultures and languages. Whether it’s closing deals in China, managing a project in Mexico, or helping solve a customer’s problem in French, each language you learn adds a unique string to your career bow.

With so many amazing language learning apps and programs available, adding a new language to your arsenal has never been more accessible. Give it a try and enjoy!

Featured Image By: Pexels

Jun28

Fun Gift Ideas For Friends & Family

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Fun Gift Ideas For Friends & Family

Gifts are never far from our minds. If you don’t think of them naturally, then no worries, society will take care of it for you — from birthdays and Christmas to Mother’s and Father’s Day, you never have to wait too long until you’re giving a gift. Sometimes, we’re happy to give whatever nice product we see in a store. However, for some occasions, you’ll want to go above and beyond to give a gift that stands out from the crowd. If you have one of those gift-giving scenarios coming up, then take a look at the gift ideas outlined below. We’re sure they’ll love it — and you’ll be pretty happy with yourself for having given it, too:

Plan the Perfect Day:

Those perfect days live long in the memory. Sometimes, they just happen out of nowhere. At other times, you have to make them happen. If you’re looking to treat your loved one to an extra special gift, then consider planning and executing the perfect day. This might involve breakfast in bed, a jaunt in the great outdoors, and a show in the evening before taking a lovely walk under a starry sky. Whatever it is, they’ll remember it forever.

One-of-a-Kind Homemade Treats:

If you’re a whizz in the kitchen, then why not give a friend or family member one of your creations? This works especially well with products such as hot sauce or quality jams, which people always love to have in their homes. You can make the gift look and feel more special by printing labels that contain your own unique branding or a special message to your loved one. Plus, if it’s a big hit, then you might even consider making more products and selling them at food markets.

Michelin-Star Dining:

Does your friend or family member love quality food? Then they’ll probably appreciate dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant. In fact, there’s no ‘probably’ about it — they will! This is extra special because it normally requires a fair bit of work. Depending on which restaurant you’re sending them to, there might be a long wait for a reservation. Forward-planning is essential! This option will probably cost more than the other ideas on this list, but it’ll be money well spent. After all, who doesn’t love eating some of the world’s best meals?

Coupon Book:

Who says that you need to give all of your gifts in a single sitting? By putting together a coupon book, you can ensure that your friend or family member has something to draw upon whenever they like. You can get as creative as you wish with these books. Anything from ‘free massage’ to ‘I’ll take the trash out for a week’ will be welcome. Put together a bunch of coupons and be sure to let the recipient know that they can cash in their request whenever they feel like it — though you might add a caveat that they’re not allowed to do so during your own birthday. After all, you matter too!

Make special occasions even better with thoughtful gifts to spoil your loved ones with!

Featured Image By: Pexels

May30

Elton Inspired OOTD

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Elton Inspired OOTD

Hello everyone and welcome to a brand new OOTD here on lifewithlilred – finally! Today, we are going to take a look at what I wore to the Elton John Brunch, which you can read about in yesterday’s post. For this event, Johnny, his mom, and I ventured to The Flats in Cleveland to see an Elton John impersonator at the Music Box Supper Club. It was such a hoot and, of course, I couldn’t attend an Elton John themed afternoon without a flashy outfit. And, I am pleased to report that Tommy Lee Thompson (the performer) very much approved! Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Glitter Star Button Down: This is Johnny’s and it’s from Phix

LA Don’t ❤ U Tank Top: Kid Dangerous, PacSun

Skinny Jeans: 1822 Denim, TJMaxx

On Fire Boots: Cape Robbin, Dolls Kill

I am extremely lucky to have a husband with fantastic fashion sense and rather than begin this look in my own wardrobe, I turned to Johnny’s. Johnny has several amazing button downs from a UK website called Phix, each one better than the next. Although all the options were good, there was only one that truly screamed “Elton John”: The red velvet with silver glitter stars. I absolutely LOVE this button down and it was exactly what I needed. Not only did it have the flash appeal worthy of an Elton John tribute performance, but it was cool and comfy too – a rarity with velvet clothing. From this shirt alone, the outfit basically built itself…

I had no intentions of buttoning the button down on the off chance that I would get too warm at the show. If that were to happen, I could simply slip it off. So, I paired it with a tank top by Kid Dangerous from my old stomping grounds of PacSun. In case you couldn’t tell from that statement alone – this tank is as old as dirt, but it will always remain one of my favorites. The cheeky slogan of “LA Don’t ❤ U” gets me every time and added some humor while adhering to the color palette with the bold red heart. The only thing to do with this top combination was to pull on a pair of black skinnies and it was on to shoes and accessories.

For jewelry, I kept things simple with a small pair of gold dangly earrings. There wasn’t a lot of open real estate to add jewelry to begin with and, even if there was, I wouldn’t have added anything. With a shirt full of glitter, there’s no need for bling! Besides, the piece de resistance of this OOTD was the fire boots. I don’t get to break these Cape Robbin babies out often, but whenever I do, they are a huge hit. In fact, our Elton John for the day lamented on not being a women’s size six so we could share! Like the button down, these boots are Elton John to the T and they were the perfect way to wrap up this look.

It was almost as fun to get dressed for the Elton John Brunch as it was to attend it. I definitely think I won in the outfit department for the day… Well, maybe a close second because Tommy Lee Thompson took the cake!

Which celebrity’s style do you admire? Which celebrity’s wardrobe do you wish you had? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Apr18

70s Spring OOTD

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70s Spring OOTD

Hello! We are finally starting to experience springlike weather in good ol’ Akron, Ohio and I have been SO ready for it. In fact, it has warmed up so significantly that Johnny and I currently have our air conditioning running. Hey, I’ll take it! Although I have enjoyed giving a final hurrah to beloved winter clothes, I have been looking forward to styling spring looks. When I think of spring OOTDs, I think of crisp, fresh pieces that can go from strolling through quaint downtown Cuyahoga Falls to drinks on the patio. The look you are about to see was inspired by spring staples with a 70s spin. Check it out:

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Who? What? Wear?

Aviator Pattern Button Down: Karl Lagerfeld, TJMaxx

Straight Leg Slacks: Sincerely Jules, TJMaxx

Platform Heels: Bamboo/Cape Robbin, TJMaxx

Flower Earrings: Bella Jack, TJMaxx

Bracelets: Two were gifts and one is by AllSaints

To style this OOTD, I built from the bottom up because I knew I wanted to rock my Sincerely Jules slacks. These straight leg pants are so retro and cool and they just felt perfect for spring. The neutral shade is also enticing because they can be paired with anything but still offer maximum chicness. Because these slacks are oh so seventies inspired, the outfit was incredibly easy to style as I only had so many pieces that would achieve my vision. Like the Karl Lagerfeld button down…

I love me a good button down, but the aviator adorned one I chose had everything I needed. The pattern, of course, was a major selling point. However, this button down was mainly selected for its fit and color. I absolutely loved the stark white of the top against the soft oat hue of the pants. It really popped and brought that crispness that I was looking for. The fit was also very flattering. It’s not baggy, but definitely not tight and it allowed me to loosely tuck it in for that effortlessly breezy effect that is so popular in seventies style.

Finally, it was onto shoes and accessories. You’re not going to not sport a fab pair of platforms for a seventies inspo look and I went with a pair by Bamboo and Cape Robbin. The denim added an extra something something while still adhering to the neutral palette and the floral embroidery on the heel was a fun surprise! For earrings, I went with one of my favorite pairs featuring transparent bluebell flowers for some additional movement. Then, I stacked on a few simple mini cuff bracelets and was ready for my closeup!

I love how my 70s Spring OOTD turned out and Johnny did too! As soon as he saw me when he returned home, he immediately let me know and noted the seventies nod. My husband, the fashionista! ❤

What is your favorite era of style? What is your favorite season to dress for? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Jan16

Writing Prompts For 2024

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Writing Prompts For 2024

Howdy everyone!! Is it just me or does January feel like an entire year in itself? Lol, it has been rainy and so freaking cold in good old Akron, Ohio and every day has felt like an eternity. I literally just said yesterday that one of my blogging goals was to try lots of new activities and hit up restaurants and stores that are outside of the norm for me. However, I think I will do all of that when I can leave the apartment without getting drenched or frostbite lol. If you are hibernating like me this month, it might be hard to create content so I thought I would share some writing prompts to help the cause. Let’s get to it:

  • What are you most looking forward to in 2024?
  • If you are rocking a “new year, new me” vibe, what is going to be new about you?
  • What is a goal or resolution that you have achieved?
  • What is a goal or resolution that you gave up on?
  • What is something new that you want to try this year?
  • What is something that you are leaving behind in 2023?
  • How would you recap 2023? Did anything amazing happen?
  • Is there anything you really hope to accomplish this year?
  • What does a new year mean to you? Is it inspiring or daunting?
  • Do you plan on making any major changes this year? What are they?

The beginning of a new year is a time for reflection and that can be reflected in your content! This is the perfect time to start planning what you want 2024 to look like for you and figuring out the steps you need to take to make it happen. You might find that these prompts will be able to help with that, which is the whole point! This time of the year can be inspiring or it can be writer’s block central. It’s up to you, so make the most of it. 🙂

If you use any of the above prompts, please tag me in the post or shoot me a comment so I can check it out. I would love to see it! ❤

What helps you when you have writer’s block? Does the weather tend to affect your mood or motivation? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Dec12

Surprise Christmas Trees

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Surprise Christmas Trees

Howdy!!! This past Wednesday, I went on a wonderful walk with my brother at the Overlook hiking trail. At this particular trail, you can stay on a paved loop that takes you to an overlook area that looks down on the Cuyahoga River or you can go rogue on a dirt path that takes you all the way down to the river. We opted to do a few rounds on the half mile loop and I am so glad that we did! During our walk, we saw two Surprise Christmas Trees and I thought it was such a cool and fun idea that I had to share it with all of you. Check it out:

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The Overlook trail is completely laden with deer and it is nothing out of the ordinary to see them running through the woods or grazing in a clearing. I always say that I am on “deer patrol” on this trail and keep a vigilant eye on the wooded areas for my four legged friends. You can only imagine my surprise when we rounded a curve and it wasn’t a deer I saw, but the littlest Christmas tree (second image) tucked back behind the bigger trees. I was simply enamored with this discovery and loved the fact that someone went out of their way so creatively to spark a bit of holiday spirit for their fellow hikers.

I thought that this tiny taste of holiday magic was a one off until we found another tree (first image) with Christmas ornaments on it. I found myself wondering if it was the original tree decorator or someone else who was inspired by it and decided to do more of the same. Either way, it inspired me and my brother and we both agreed that we should bring some ornaments of our own the next time we hit the Overlook trail. Something tells me that we will be seeing a lot more ornaments upon our return because I think a lot of people will be sharing our sentiments too!

These Surprise Christmas Trees really made me smile and I hope they did the same for you. This was such a unique and special idea and maybe you’ll feel the urge to decorate on your favorite hiking trail too!

Do you like decorating for the holidays? What is your favorite holiday decoration (I love the twelve foot skeletons dressed as Santa!)? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah